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Gretna City Council makes last call Monday for public input on paid parking

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The Gretna City Council will hold a final public hearing Monday, Jan. 6, 2014 on its paid parking plan for downtown. The council is expected to take final action at its meeting Wednesday, Jan. 8.
(Andrea Shaw, NOLA.com|The Times-Picayune)

With the Gretna City Council expected to reinstate paid parking in downtown this week, the public will have one last chance Monday night (Jan. 6) to weigh in on the plan. The council will hold a public hearing at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, Huey P. Long Avenue and 2nd Street.

Paid parking would include an area bounded by 1st, Fourth, Derbigny and Lafayette streets. Drivers would pay $1 for an hour and 25 cents for 15 minutes, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Holidays and weekends would be free.

SP Plus Municipal Services will oversee the parking program, including operation and enforcement.

Paid parking has been suspended since 2010, after complaints about uneven enforcement. City officials promise a modernized program that will be adjusted to meet the needs of residents and businesses. Drivers need only input their license plate number at a kiosk or call a designated number to pay.

Meanwhile, some areas would be designated parking for downtown businesses and residents in the impacted area would be given permits.

The council is expected to take final action on the plan at its regular meeting Wednesday (Jan. 8). Implementation will begin immediately, with warnings for violations issued for the remainder of January. Tickets will be issued in February, with violations handled as civil matters through city court.

City Councilman Joe Marino III, whose district includes downtown, said he wants to see a portion of revenues reinvested in infrastructure the area.